MARAMON CONVENTION

Maramon is a small town on the banks of Pampa River, opposite Kozhencherry town. The dry river-bed of the Pampa between Maramon and Kozhencherry, witnesses the annual Maramon Convention', the largest Christian gathering in Asia. This convention is held for a week in February.

The Maramon Convention is conducted annually since 1896 on the banks of the river Pampa, near Kozhenchery, on the sand bed that stretches on the Pamba River below the Kozhenchery Bridge. Maramon Convention is organized by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church.

The first convention was held in 1895 March, for a period of 10 days. The convention tent has a seating capacity in excess of 80,000 and its roofing is of interwoven coconut leaves brought in by parishioners of nearby churches. All around the tent there are temporary sheds and tents for various purposes related to the Convention. Stalls for the sale of religious literature, church offices and restaurants run by charity organizations are allowed to operate in the vicinity of the main tent under the strict control of the church authorities.

Maramon is also famous as the birthplace of Palakkunneth Abraham Maplan, a 19th century leader of the Syrian Church of Malabar.